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Duncan Gaudie & Iain McCulloch
E
ach year, the prestigious NMR/RABDF Gold Cup is awarded to the dairy farm judged as being the
most efficient for milk production. Entrants provide information on herd performance, including production,
feed, health and fertility information. A panel of judges then assesses factors such as the physical and
management performance of the farm, involvement in environmental schemes and plans for the future.
Aside from the production statistics, here's a look at what goes on behind the scenes for three of this year's
finalists to ensure health is not limiting their herd's efficiency and production.
Herd health activities
of Gold Cup finalists
Over the past four years, herd number at
Two Pools Farm has increased by about
25%, to 320 milking cows. These are milked
twice a day and lactation yield per cow is
9,710 litres.
Herd nutrition
Quarterly meetings are held with Will and
the farm's nutritionist and farm staff. Written
action plans are drawn up for the next three
months with specific people assigned to
different tasks.
Mike explains: ‘A lot of our focus is to make
sure no problems occur in the first place.
With Will's help we body condition score all
the herd and keep a chart on the wall so we
can all see which cows are on the high or
low side of ideal. Will also regularly checks
the manure consistency and digestibility which
give clues as to how cows are performing on
the feed.’
New heifer housing
Heifers are now kept separately from the main
herd to help reduce stress. They only join the
cows when they have had their second calf.
Mike King adds: ‘Beforehand, heifers were
loose-housed with the rest of the herd.
But now they are separate, fertility has
improved and helped us achieve a cull
rate of only 11%.’
9
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
GO L D C U P W I NN E R S
Team work is the key
to success...
Gold Cup winners:
Michael and Chris King
For Gold Cup winners Michael and Chris King of Two Pools Farm,
near Bristol, taking a team approach has been an essential part of their
success. The Kingspool Holstein herd is managed by Martyn Smith and
his wife Lyn, regular staff meetings are held, and vet Will Tulley from
Tyndale Vet Practice visits the farm weekly.
Will Tulley
Tyndale Farm Veterinary Practice
Chris King and Michael King
Quarterly meetings are held with the farm’s nutritionist,
staff and vet Will Tulley, to review the herd’s nutrition.